Venezuela has raised alarm over an oil spill it claims originated from the neighboring island nation of Trinidad and Tobago and has reached its coast.
In a statement on February 28, Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said the incident threatens fragile ecosystems and affects fishing activities. Caracas demanded that Trinidad and Tobago “take full responsibility by adopting urgent measures to prevent further incidents” and be transparent “about the causes, scope, and consequences of this oil spill.”
The incident risks escalating tensions between the two neighbors. Caracas previously expressed anger when Trinidad's new government voiced support for U.S. actions that led to the kidnapping of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
In response, the Trinidad and Tobago government said it has deployed security forces to investigate the alleged spill and requested coordinates from Venezuela. Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal told Reuters: “The Coast Guard and Police Marine have been deployed for reconnaissance at sea and through drones to ascertain the facts.”
Trinidad’s Foreign Ministry has also contacted Venezuela’s embassy in Port of Spain for further information, Minister Moonilal said. The Venezuelan government did not specify which areas were affected by the spill it claims was confirmed via satellite imagery.
The small English-speaking island nation of Trinidad and Tobago lies just 10 km (6 miles) off Venezuela's coast. Relations between the two have been tense since Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar returned to power last year and took a hard stance on Venezuelan migration. She also strengthened ties with the U.S. before Maduro was kidnapped in January.
The oil spill is said to be similar to a February 2024 incident, when an oil tanker sank in Trinidad and Tobago's waters, causing pollution that spread into Venezuelan territory.
